I Can See Clearly Now

I have no idea why I'm here. It was the only thought racing through my mind. Sure, I should have had a thousand other thoughts at that moment, but it was blank except for that. The lights were shining into my eyes so brightly I could barely focus; I think my hands were shaking, but I can't be sure. I watched numbly as this stranger, dressed smartly in a cobalt-blue three-piece suit matched with shiny black dress shoes, stood in front of me, his left hand by his side as his right reached to lift a giant cream-colored cloth off the cold metal table. I held my breath as I watched it slide slowly, inch by agonizing inch, to reveal what was underneath.

The redhead a few feet away from me was audibly hyperventilating; it was annoying me to a point where ordinarily I would have walked away. There was no walking away from this. I had made it to the final round.

I was resting my hands on the unfamiliar work area in front of me. I knew in an instant, they would have to spring to life; the next 10 minutes of my life depended on them. And as the cloth slid off that table, my breath caught in my throat.

"The secret ingredients are..." I scarcely heard the rest as my eyes grazed over the two foods on the table. Bran flakes.. and carrots! How I got so lucky, I will never know. But there was my favorite food, sitting on the table, just waiting for me. My anxiety left in an instant as I found my breath again. I could almost see the victory, with just 9 minutes and 58 seconds standing between me and the trophy.

"...And, begin!" said the voice, and I sprang into action. I rushed up and grabbed as many carrots as I could, creating a basket with my apron to help me carry them back to my station. I scurried back and grabbed a few bowls full of bran flakes, and then ran to the pantry, where the I found almost every imaginable food, spice, utensil, and cooking instrument I could possibly have imagined. I grabbed everything I could carry, dumped it on my workstation, and ran back for a second armful.

Once I had everything situated, I began. I yanked bowls out of drawers, threw pans on the stove and watched for an instant as the flame leaped to life, doing a little victory dance underneath what I hoped would be the winning dish. I diced and I chopped, I sauteed and I fried, and the next time I glanced up, I had only 3 minutes left.

As I took my pan off the heat, I glanced to my left and watched as the redhead's hands kept themselves busy. One of her curls had escaped her ponytail, and hung loosely in front of her face. And then, if by magic, something miraculously terrible happened. In swinging her hand up to push the curl out of her face, she knocked over a glass of apple cider vinegar. It splashed onto her workstation, some droplets landing on the plates she had prepared for the meal, the rest crawling along the metal surface as she looked on in horror.

"Keep going! You have 2 minutes left, contestants!"

I turned back, knowing the time she had lost was the time I had gained. My hands were steady now, and they plated my finished meal with a confidence I didn't know I possessed. Even without the spill, even without knowing what the redhead had made, I had confidence in this dish. It was one I had made many times before, for hundreds of people. Even with the strange addition of the bran flakes, I was certain this was a success. The carrots had helped me see clearly, and I was sure of my imminent win.

Dear Kohls Sweater

Dear Kohls Maroon-and-Tan Striped Sweater,

I am extremely disappointed in you. I saw you on the shelf that first balmy December afternoon, but I passed you up for a mint green-and-tan striped sweater instead. But I never forgot about you. I strolled in once or twice more, always keeping an eye out for you, but always opting for something else. I can understand you being upset about being passed over for the blue button-up shirt, the black-and-white zig-zag striped shirt, or even the mint green tank top with the crystal embellishments.

But there was no need to hold a grudge and then seek revenge the way you did. The truth is, I did purchase you, and I thought I'd saved the best for last. I wore you with pride. I thought we got along pretty well, you and I, especially when that teeny tiny dollop of ranch dressing happened to fall on you and you didn't stain. How was I supposed to know what was lingering underneath your cold, unforgiving surface? I tried my best. I tried to make it up to you. It was the holiday season, for goodness sake! The season of friendship and love and compassion, the one during which we should have built a lasting relationship. But we were only together for one short albeit memorable day before disaster struck.

I brought you home to meet my parents. I decided to clean you up a little bit first, and I think you should have been grateful for that. You would have received high compliments if you'd made it back upstairs. I even gave you your very own wash cycle. I thought the exclusivity would ease your mind a bit. I read the tag; I turned the water on cold and added the correct amount of detergent. But there was NO reason - none at all! - for what happened when I pulled you out of what should have been a glorious bath. No, instead, there you were, tans and maroons intertwined in all the wrong ways. If I'd wanted a tie-dyed sweater, I would have bought one. Or made it. But I didn't ask that of you. I didn't ask much, just that you retain your colors and shape so we could have reunited at some point in the near future.

I did everything for you. I picked you up when you were down - literally, down on the floor of Kohl's in a crumpled pile, in danger of being stepped on or rolled over with a grizzly shopping cart. I found you at your darkest hour, brought you home and brought you back to life. I didn't see the signs. I didn't know you'd self-destruct. I don't know who I'm more angry with, you or me. But one thing is for sure: I wish we'd never met.

Not fondly at all,
Kristina

Real New Year's Resolutions

I found this on Pinterest and decided to give it a try. I know everyone makes pretty unrealistic New Year's Resolutions, and I didn't want to do that. My very last one on this list - being honest with myself - is actually my top priority. So I'm trying to keep it that way.

Freelance Writing

Since August, I have written a variety of freelance articles. I've covered television, movies, fashion, fame, and technology, and I'm always looking forward to my next assignment. In absolutely no particular order, here's the list of articles I've completed so far:

10 Most Mindbending Sci-Fi Movies Ever:

http://new.scribol.com/pop-culture/10-most-mind-bending-sci-fi-movies-ever

10 Most Unexpected Plot Twists in Movie History

http://new.scribol.com/pop-culture/10-most-unexpected-plot-twists-in-movie-history

15 Best Celebrity Beards (And How to Cultivate Your Own):

http://new.scribol.com/lifestyle/15-best-celebrity-beards-and-how-to-grow-your-own/1

13 Wildly Creative Shoes Resembling Animals

http://new.scribol.com/lifestyle/13-wildly-creative-shoes-resembling-animals

15 Most Iconic Black Models of All Time

http://new.scribol.com/art-and-design/15-most-iconic-black-models-ever

10 Harebrained Pieces of High-Fashion Headwear

http://new.scribol.com/art-and-design/10-harebrained-pieces-of-high-fashion-headwear

10 Cool High-Tech Sunglasses

http://new.scribol.com/technology/10-cool-high-tech-sunglasses

15 Bizarrely Stylish Pairs of Sunglasses

http://new.scribol.com/art-and-design/15-bizarrely-stylish-pairs-of-sunglasses

15 Most Iconic Sneaker Moments in Movies

http://new.scribol.com/lifestyle/15-most-iconic-sneaker-moments-in-movies

10 Best-Dressed Movie Villains (And How to Get the Look)

http://new.scribol.com/lifestyle/10-best-dressed-movie-villains-and-how-to-get-the-look

10 Incredible High-Tech Toilets (For When You're Feeling Flush)

http://new.scribol.com/technology/10-incredible-high-tech-toilets-for-when-youre-feeling-flush

15 Delectable Fashion Pieces Created from Food

http://new.scribol.com/art-and-design/15-delectable-fashion-pieces-created-from-food

10 Awesome Vintage 80’s Lunchboxes

http://www.topmastersineducation.com/awesome-vintage-lunch-boxes/

10 Celebrities Who Tried to Take Their Own Lives

http://www.counselingdegreehub.com/10-celebrities-who-tried-to-take-their-own-lives/

10 Coolest Tech-Geek Wallets Ever

http://www.online-accounting-schools.org/10-coolest-tech-geek-wallets-ever/

What’s on TV: Must-watch Shows This Month (September, page 9)

http://twinforks.com/campus-news/8-1web.pdf

What’s on TV: Must-watch Shows This Month (October, page 11)

http://twinforks.com/campus-news/8-2web.pdf

Celebrities’ Humble Beginnings in TV Ads (November, page 11)

http://twinforks.com/campus-news/8-3web.pdf

Counting Down the Top 10 Holiday Movies (December/January, page 11)

http://twinforks.com/campus-news/8-4web.pdf

Worst Bedbug-Infested Cities in the US (link to come)

Coolest Celebrity Websites (link to come)

College Professors Who Have Gone to Space (link to come)

World Leaders with PhDs (link to come)

So.. it's been a while

I've thought about writing in this blog. A lot. But every time I mentally begin a post, I get distracted, and I never end up writing. That, or I just feel like I'm too busy. I logged on today, and when I saw my last post was in August, I thought, It hasn't been as long as I thought!

Until I realized that was August 2012.

I'm not going to go too far back to recap. Too much has happened and if I can't remember it, maybe it's for the best. This started out as a blog about my diet and healthy eating. Last year, apparently after I gave up blogging, I lost 20 pounds when I started counting calories. I used a website called Calorie Count and despite a few very minor setbacks, I've kept the weight off. I've revolutionized my eating habits, I started working out, I even ran a bunch of 5Ks this year (and those who know me know that running is something I used to use in case of emergency only).

Maybe it's because we're nearing Thanksgiving, or maybe it's because my grandfather's health has begun failing, but either way, I've decided it's time to start giving thanks for things.

So, in no particular order:
* I'm thankful for my recent promotion to editor. It's something I've worked very hard for and though it's a challenge, it's something I'm ecstatic about.
* I'm thankful I started pursuing a writing career. I've gotten to write about a lot of really bizarre and interesting topics, and it's helping me build a portfolio I can use in the future.
* I'm thankful for my friends. In the last few years, and this past one in particular, they have truly become my family.
* I'm thankful for my family. There have been several ups and downs this year, and right now with my grandfather being in the hospital, it's made me realize just how lucky I am to have them.
* I'm thankful that I'm healthy. Changing the way I eat and exercise has made me realize that I was on the road to an unhealthy life, and I'm glad I turned around when I did.
* I'm thankful I'm able to appreciate the little things, and that I'm able to see the bright side of things. For some people, it's hard to really appreciate a moment, to truly live in it. I understand now more than ever that time is fleeting and if I don't appreciate what I have now, I can't go back to appreciate it in that precise second. To that end, being able to snap out of a bad mood is something I pride myself on, because really, who wants to be angry or upset for one second longer than they need to be?

And that's all for now. Goodnight!

Spicy Honey Chicken

I have gone far too long without posting some of the things I've been creating.  Like this one.  I saw a pin for Spicy Honey Chicken on Pinterest, and it had my mouth watering.  I have so many spices (no, seriously, my friends tease me about it), yet I am so timid to try mixing them together.  I never thought of this combo, but once I saw it, I had to try it. 

I altered it quite a bit, because I wanted this chicken to go on top of a salad but I wasn't sure which dressing to use.  After wracking my brain for a good few minutes (probably too many minutes, actually) it suddenly clicked: make the rub for the chicken and use the glaze as the dressing!

Duh, Kristina.

I also used precooked chicken here (nothing new, because I'm too lazy Trader Joe's has awesome precooked chicken chunks for sale).  Luckily, I had the foresight to take a picture of the seasonings I used in case I'd forget later on (which I did).

 

Now, keep in mind, this is for a single serving.  You'll have to convert this for additional servings, just like I converted it for my lonesome self.

First, the rub:

1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon cumin

I combined those in a Ziploc bag, spritzed the chicken with a little cooking spray, and tossed into the bag.  I gave it quite a good shake (which instantly turned into more of a dance than a shake) and then popped it into the fridge until morning.  Onto the glaze...

The problem is that I have a container and I'm not sure what size it was.  So of course I measured, but then I added a bit more to fill up the container, and, well... I didn't measure the additions.  Here's my best bet:

1 tablespoon honey

3/4 tablespoon white vinegar

dash ground black pepper

Mix together vigorously until it's combined.  You may need to add a little more vinegar in to make the consistency a little thinner (after all, it's supposed to stretch over a whole salad).

Throw together a salad (mine had lettuce, radishes, carrots, and broccoli slaw), slap the chicken on top, and drizzle that dressing right over it.  Eat your heart out!

Food Diary - August 13

Lunch:
French onion soup (Progresso)
Hamburger with bun and slice of Velveeta cheese

Snack:
Cheese puffs

Food Diary - August 9

Breakfast:
Gala apple

Lunch:
Small caesar salad with lettuce, croutons, & Parmesan cheese, fat free ranch
Chicken and broccoli with spicy garlic sauce
2 slices watermelon
6 dark chocolate covered almonds